Managing Fire Protection System Impairment

1 Managing Fire Protection System Impairment But, the fact remains: If a fire ignites in an area where the fire Protection System has been impaired, the fire can spread unabated. As a result, it's important to take quick and efficient steps to minimize the duration of the Can your company afford to lose From 1986 to 2005, shut sprinkler Impairment and implement temporary US$ million in assets? Forgetting valves were a factor in 229 fire losses measures to help prevent a loss from to restore an impaired sprinkler or insured by FM Global, causing more occurring while Protection is out other fire Protection System at your than US$739 million* gross in of service. facility could cost that much damage an average of more than or more. US$ million per incident. All Fortunately, there are a number of the events, which resulted in a large steps you can take to ensure your fa- Should a fire occur while the System loss to our clients' assets, could have cility's fire Protection System is ready is impaired, the fire quickly could been prevented with a strong impair- when you need it, and following grow undetected and spread beyond ment management program, such as FM Global's Red Tag permit System the control capabilities of the FM Global's Red Tag permit System .

2 Is top on the list. Designed to help Protection System . you manage impairments and restore In fact, further investigation of these full fire Protection , this program com- Loss Example 1: events revealed that sprinkler control prises four key elements: A sprinkler System was shut down valves had been closed for the A. Red Tag permit after a small fire at a manufacturing following reasons: B. Fire Protection Equipment facility was thought to have been Sprinkler System installation Decals extinguished by sprinklers and Sprinkler System repair C. R eusable Impairment Tag for hose streams applied by company Building alteration Fire Service Connections employees. The sprinkler System was Maintenance D. R ed Tag permit System not restored promptly and the local Lack of heat in the protected area Wall Hanger fire service was not notified of the fire. The fire rekindled and spread However, every time you take your beyond the capabilities of the sprin- fire Protection equipment out of ser- kler System even though employees vice, even for a minute, you create a reopened the sprinkler System 's fire hazard.

3 Sure, making repairs, in- shut valve as soon as the fire was stalling new equipment or completing discovered. The resulting damage building alterations are among valid was estimated at more than US$84 reasons for impairing Protection . million gross. *Indexed to 2006 dollars This brochure is made available for informational purposes only in support of the insurance relationship between FM Global and its clients. This information does not change or supplement policy terms or conditions. The liability of FM Global is limited to that contained in its insurance policies. Managing Fire Protection System Impairment 2 of 8. The following guidelines require the use of FM Global's Red Tag Red Tag permit System permit System Wall Hanger (P7427), which includes: One copy of this brochure One sheet of Fire Protection Equipment Decals (P7834) to affix to fire Protection equipment as a reminder that authorization is needed before any shutdown can occur One x ( x ) wall hanger with pockets to keep other elements of the System organized and within reach; also lists steps to take before, during and after an Impairment Four Red Tag Permits (F2480).

4 To authorize impairments and document tasks as they are performed A. Red Tag permit (F2480) B. F ire Protection Equipment C. Reusable Impairment Decals (P7834) Tag for Fire Service One Reusable Impairment Tag Connections (P7427t). for Fire Service Connections (P7427t) to wire to fire service connections as a reminder that fire Protection is out of service. Be sure to familiarize personnel with this System as soon as possible before planning your next fire Protection System Impairment . Display the wall hanger where it is clearly visible and alert personnel to its location. Educate staff about all procedures and let them know who is assigned to authorize an Impairment . D. Red Tag permit System Wall Hanger (P7427). Managing Fire Protection System Impairment 3 of 8. Before a Planned Impairment rohibit any process with an P. inherent ignition source, such as active System (you will need an adapter to connect the hose to omplete all applicable sections C hot work.)

5 Smoking also should the drain). of the permit (see page 5), pro- be prohibited. Notify your emergency response viding key information, such as Be prepared. Have everything team (ERT) and the public fire telephone numbers for your local ready before impairing protec- service so they can be ready fire service, alarm company, wa- tion, , excavating equipment, to handle any emergency that ter department, and FM Global pipe plugs, repair parts might occur. office servicing your property. and personnel. If fire Protection equipment can Affix the red-and-white Fire Pro- Plan to have temporary fire pro- be restored, determine how to tection Equipment Decals to all tection on hand: extra extinguish- quickly return it to service in Protection equipment to remind ers, charged hose lines, tempo- case a fire occurs during personnel that authorization is rary sprinkler Protection , etc. the Impairment . needed before any shutdown Set up temporary sprinkler pro- Assign a fire watch to patrol can occur.

6 Tection, especially for prolonged the area where Protection Plan to work on fire Protection impairments, by running a is impaired. when the facility is not operat- (65-mm) hose from the hydrant Notify your local FM Global ing. Shut down any hazardous to the 2-in. (50-mm) drain of an office of the planned Impairment . processes. (For the FM Global office closest to you, visit our Web site at ). An engineer and/or client service representative can advise you on how to proceed and follow up until protec- tion has been restored. In addition, he or she can help minimize downtime, if possible, reduce fire exposure to the area, arrange for temporary Protection , and determine how to restore Protection as quickly as possible in the event of a fire. Managing Fire Protection System Impairment 4 of 8. Completing the Red Tag permit The precautions listed at the top of all three parts will help you and your FM Global engineer determine the specific actions you need to take.

7 The information provided in Part 1 transfers to Parts 2 and 3. Part 1 Red Tag permit Part 2 Out of Service Part 3 Fire Protection This section becomes a record of the Place Part 2 in the center pocket Out of Service Impairment . The firesafety supervisor of the wall hanger as a reminder Issue Part 3 to the fire Protection completes, signs and issues the permit , of the Impairment . equipment operator, who then docu- describing the location of the facility ments each step in the Impairment and and reason for Impairment , and then: return-to-full-operation processes, 1. Phones or faxes the same informa- and attaches Part 3 to the shut valve. tion to FM Global (FM Global Be sure he or she carefully records telephone and fax numbers are the date, time, type of valve and the included on the wall hanger); and number of turns needed to close it. 2. Signs the permit to document that the Impairment has been planned or is underway. Managing Fire Protection System Impairment 5 of 8.

8 Authorizing the Impairment ock sprinkler control valves L. in the wide-open position. Managing Unplanned Impairments I nform employees that the Red Reset the alarm System ; notify The steps outlined on the previous Tag permit System is in effect. the central station, if applicable. pages work well for planned fire It's best if the wall hanger is Notify your ERT, public fire Protection impairments; however, displayed in plain view so that service and FM Global repre- not all impairments can be planned. the firesafety supervisor or ap- sentative that fire Protection has Suppose sprinkler piping starts leak- propriate personnel can easily been restored. ing or freezing causes pipes to break? follow the procedures listed on Complete the Red Tag permit . Suddenly, you're faced with an the poster and permit . The fire Protection equipment unplanned Impairment and the steps Use the three-part Red Tag operator documents all steps you take to manage the situation permit to initiate the Impairment taken to restore fire Protection in could mean the difference between and identify affected equipment.

9 Part 3 of the permit , signs it and minor damage and a significant loss. Complete the permit , following returns it to the firesafety super- To ensure safe handling of each step carefully. visor. The firesafety supervisor: the Impairment : Reviews the information on Stabilize the situation and im- mediately follow the precautions Restoring the System the signed permit and retains it as a record of the impair- outlined in Before a Planned romptly restore fire Protection P ment; and Impairment on page 4. equipment to automatic service Transfers information from If a fire starts, make sure sprinkler as soon as possible. Part 3 of the permit to Part 2, valves are opened immediately. If sprinkler Protection was and phones or faxes the If it is safe to do so, immedi- impaired, conduct a 2-in. (50- information in Part 2 to ately dispatch the sprinkler mm) drain test at the sprinkler FM Global. valve operator(s) to the valve(s). riser to obtain a clear, unobstruct- controlling the fire area; the valve ed water flow.

10 Operator's job is to: Managing Fire Protection System Impairment 6 of 8. uard the valve against G Remember: If someone forgets to premature shutting; reopen an impaired fire Protection Additional Resources Unlock the valve, test it to valve and a fire breaks out, the result make sure it is open, and could be a devastating loss to your For additional information then relock it; company and its assets, regardless on Managing impairments, Stand by the valve during the of whether or not attempts are made refer to FM Global's online fire and close it only at the to immediately reopen the valve or Resource Catalog available at direction of the fire chief; extinguish the flames. There, you Stand by the valve after the will find educational material of- fire until sprinklers have fered in a wide variety of languages been replaced doing so and formats, including information will allow you to restore the on FM Global's online training System quickly if the fire courses developed exclusively for reignites; and our clients.